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From WRC.com
Volkswagen's Jari-Matti Latvala believes his season has taken an upward turn following a change of approach on last weekend's Rally of Portugal.
Following a difficult start to the season, which saw Latvala take just 15 points from three rounds, he scored his first podium for VW in Portugal since his switch to the team in 2013, and suggested a more aggressive and proactive approach attitude the wheel of his Polo R WRC was the key to his up-turn in form.
“I was pushing myself, forcing myself to drive fast and it started to help,” Latvala admitted to wrc.com after the event. “I have been letting myself think I can take the experience and the speed will just come, but it doesn't work that way - you have to work for it.”
The ex-Ford driver also believes the podium in Portugal has given him the confidence he needed in his car for the rest of the season, after having struggled with its handling and set-up characteristics in previous rounds.
“Now I see my year opening. Finally, my Championship can start!” he said. “My confidence is coming in the car. In Argentina I will have a different set-up which will suit me better, but still I am really, really happy with this result.”
The seven-time WRC rally winner also conceded that the dramatic gap in performance to teammate Sebastien Ogier who has won three of the four events so far this season, lies squarely at his feet and not VW's.
“The start of the season has been tough - learning, but also disappointing. I was expecting more from myself and I couldn't get it,” he continued. “The car has been quick, but I have been somewhere on another planet..."
Volkswagen's Jari-Matti Latvala believes his season has taken an upward turn following a change of approach on last weekend's Rally of Portugal.
Following a difficult start to the season, which saw Latvala take just 15 points from three rounds, he scored his first podium for VW in Portugal since his switch to the team in 2013, and suggested a more aggressive and proactive approach attitude the wheel of his Polo R WRC was the key to his up-turn in form.
“I was pushing myself, forcing myself to drive fast and it started to help,” Latvala admitted to wrc.com after the event. “I have been letting myself think I can take the experience and the speed will just come, but it doesn't work that way - you have to work for it.”
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| Photo: WRC |
The ex-Ford driver also believes the podium in Portugal has given him the confidence he needed in his car for the rest of the season, after having struggled with its handling and set-up characteristics in previous rounds.
“Now I see my year opening. Finally, my Championship can start!” he said. “My confidence is coming in the car. In Argentina I will have a different set-up which will suit me better, but still I am really, really happy with this result.”
The seven-time WRC rally winner also conceded that the dramatic gap in performance to teammate Sebastien Ogier who has won three of the four events so far this season, lies squarely at his feet and not VW's.
“The start of the season has been tough - learning, but also disappointing. I was expecting more from myself and I couldn't get it,” he continued. “The car has been quick, but I have been somewhere on another planet..."